George came to America from Annan, Scotland, with his parents, brothers and sisters in 1843. He acquired the following Land Grants. (Further information on land transactions can be obtained through research at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick):

From The Daily Gleaner, 14 July 1937: "About the year 1857, George Lister built the first woollen mill in York Mills. He also built a sawmill and a grist mill. The woollen business was established as a cloth mill. He later sold the business to John Taylor."

Excerpt from Rural Musings: Woollen Mill Thrives: Began 105 years Ago, By Rolf Munroe--undated, but possibly in newspaper in December 1962: "George built the sawmill first, and in it lumber for the other structures were processed. The machinery for the original mill came up the St. John river by boat, was landed at Long Creek, and hauled on wagons to the mill site."

There seems to be some questions as to the exact year the woollen mill was built. From the Saint Croix Courier "Journey Through Time", The Early Years: 1865-1885, on 13 May 1869: "New Woollen Mill -- Geo Lester, Esq., is erecting a woollen factory in the Harvey Settlement on the N. E. Magaguadavic within a short distance of Western Extension. -- Journal."

The 1861 Census lists George as 37 years old, Farmer/Merchant, and his wife Mary Ann, 28 years old, daughter Christina, 2 years, and son Charles Fisher, 7 mos. Also in their household were James Carmichael, 26 yr., farm servant; Mary Embleton, 18 yr., domestic servant; James Kenna, 30 yr., woodturner, and his wife Isabella Kenna, 24 yr.